Words & Image: FNQ FC Heat

FNQ FC Heat recorded their eighth straight win last night in Cairns, defeating last-placed South West Queensland Thunder 5-1 at Barlow Park.

Heat shared the scoring spoils with first half goals to Cameron Nucifora, Mqondisi Nkiwane, Jake Keslake and Ethan Docherty. Jamie Carroll rounded out the five goal performance in the second half, while Colin Ball netted a consolation for the visitors.

Heat were without talismanic midfielder Alex Smith for the clash, but it did not seem to hinder the in-form side asCameron Nucifora put the hosts ahead after 24 mins, following in on Keslake’s shot to pick up the scraps.

After the goal, the Heat settled in possession creating a number of goal scoring opportunities, Matt Murphy blasted over from the eighteen yard line, and Gosling’s attempts at goal just went wide.

Thunder offered resistance predominantly on the counter attack but were unable to trouble Heat goalkeeper Daniel Valcicak.

The visitors succumbed to Heat’s weight of possession five minutes before the break when Nkiwane followed up from Murphy’s strike to double the host’s advantage.

Keslake netted in similar fashion shortly after before in the final minute of the half Docherty curled his shot around Thunder goalkeeper Stewart Campbell to effectively seal the points.

Heat continued to threaten after the restart as Murphy continued to excel down the right – his cross for Nkiwane allowing the attacker to deliver a stunning bicycle kick that went wide.

Thunder’s counter attack kept Valcicak on his toes in the Heat goalmouth, however the breakthrough continued to prove elusive for the visitors.

Thunder were rewarded for their persistence on 79 minutes as Valcicak’s clearance fell to Ball 40 yards out, the Thunder substitute successfully chancing his hand from long range to reduce the deficit to three.

The visitor’s relief proved short lived though as Jamie Carroll capitalised on a goal mouth scramble to ultimately round out the scoring.

The win sees Heat maintain their grip on a top four place, while Thunder remain at the foot of the league table without a competition point.

FNQ FC Heat 5 (Cameron NUCIFORA 23’, Mqondisi NKIWANE 36’, Jake KESLAKE 44’, Ethan DOCHERTY 45’, Jamie CARROLL 85’)
SWQ Thunder 1 (Colin BALL 79’)